Patient identification method for x-ray film user-interfaces

Abstract

A method for identifying digitized X-ray films using the label that is “burned” on such films. The label is digitized and can be used as a single identifier for the corresponding X-ray film image. The digitized label can be displayed such as to be readable by the user thereby allowing the selection and retrieval of the image. The digitized label can also be associated with image analysis results, such as CAD analysis, performed on the corresponding X-ray film image allowing easy retrieval of such results.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority on U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 408,079, filed Sep. 4, 2002 entitled “Patient identification method for CAD user-interfaces”.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates to the field of X-ray film identification and more particularly to identification of digitized X-ray films in computer user interfaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] X-ray films can be scanned by a film digitizer, and converted into digital format. Digitized films can then be stored for future retrieval or analyzed with imager analysis algorithms such as Computer Aided Detection (CAD). Film digitizers are available from, for example, Canon, Howtek, Kodak, or Vidar. The film digitizer is, connected to a standard computer and a standard user interface controls scanning, identifying, and storing the digitized films as images on disk. Standard user interfaces for digitizer control, including quality control, error detection...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method whereby human-readable patient information on a label is automatically obtained from digitized X-ray film. This human-readable patient information is then used to identify the corresponding X-ray film. In one aspect of the invention the label of a digitized X-ray film is digitally extracted and associated with the corresponding film and displayed such as to be readable by a user. This advantageously avoids the need to identify the film by indirect means such as by scanning a bar code affixed to the film or by having to enter the name or identification number of a patient and therefore overcomes several disadvantages of the prior art.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention the digitally extracted label can be enhanced to increase the contrast or to remove textured background to facilitate reading by the user of the alpha-numeric information contained in the label.

[0019] In yet a further embodiment, sub-labels can be digitally extracted from a label and associated with corresponding X-ray film images and or image analysis results such as CAD. By enabling the identification of images using selected information from the label, the method provides increase flexibility for retrieving desired films.

Problems solved by technology

However, a non-zero percentage of cancers are typically missed by radiologists.

This method is deficient in that radiologists and other medical personnel use patient names and patient record identifiers to identify patients, and cross-correlate patients to other medical information, reports, requisitions, and the like.

Since the CAD results are identified only with a barcode and its associated numerical identifier, association of patient names or records with CAD results involves an indirect and unreliable cross-referencing method from CAD results to bar code to patient name.

This method is not only inconvenient and time consuming, but also prone to errors.

This method is equally deficient in that the only mechanism to correlate CAD results with a patient name is to cross-correlate the bar code numbers of the CAD results with a bar code label affixed to an X-ray film.

This method is also deficient in that the CAD results have to be identified by other means with the patient name or patient number before they can be recalled with the method described here.

A disadvantage of this method is that the patient name has to be entered manually at the time of digitization, and potentially again at the time of review.

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